Jury Convicts Two Members Of Violent Drug Trafficking Organization On Racketeering, Murder And Other Charges

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2012

Memphis, Tenn.- A federal jury in Memphis has convicted Martin Lewis and Clinton Lewis on
racketeering conspiracy, violent crime including murder, money laundering, and other charges, announced
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Edward L. Stanton, III, and Resident Agent in Charge
Brian Chambers of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Memphis Regional Office.

Both Clinton Lewis and Martin Lewis were found guilty of racketeering conspiracy as well as
charges involving the murder of Mario McNeal in March 2007.
In addition, Clinton Lewis was found guilty of kidnaping Marcus Turner in September 2007 in aid
of racketeering activity, conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and conspiring to commit
money laundering. Martin Lewis was also convicted of money laundering.

Both Clinton Lewis and Martin Lewis face mandatory sentences of life in federal prison. U.S.
District Judge S. Hardy Mays, Jr., scheduled sentencing for June 29, 2012.

The evidence at trial showed, among other things, that Clinton Lewis and Martin Lewis were
members of a criminal drug trafficking organization that imported large amounts of illegal drugs to the
Memphis area. Members of the organization committed, attempted, and threatened to commit numerous
acts of violence, including murder, to protect and expand the enterprise’s criminal operations. The
criminal conspiracy went on for years in the Memphis area.

Among the violent acts carried out by the criminal enterprise was the murder of Mario McNeal
in March 2007. The evidence specifically showed that Clinton Lewis and Martin Lewis worked together
and with others to murder Mario McNeal, who was considered to be a threat to the drug trafficking
organization, at a Memphis hot wing restaurant. Martin Lewis himself went to the restaurant and shot and
killed McNeal.

Numerous other individuals have been convicted in federal court in Memphis for their involvement
with the drug trafficking organization of which Clinton Lewis and Martin Lewis were a part. The
prosecution is the largest of its kind in the history of the district.

United States Attorney Edward L. Stanton, III, stated: “We are pleased that these two individuals
have been convicted and face a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Clinton Lewis and Martin Lewis
were members of one of the largest and most violent criminal organizations in the history of this area.
Today’s verdict holds them accountable, and it sends a message to those who profit off the distribution
of poison into our communities, and who protect their criminal activity by any means necessary: You will
get caught. You will be brought to justice. And you will be punished to the fullest extent that the law
allows.”

The investigation was a joint operation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the
Memphis Police Department; U.S. Marshals Service; and numerous other law enforcement agencies. The
case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg Gilluly and David Pritchard.